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Water changes....doing more harm then good?

Hi guys,

Ive beein doing water changes once a week, around 10% (maybe just less, but no more than 10%). I have been pumping the 10% out, and then pouring in a jug of water mixed with de-chlorifying salt at the correct amount (5g for my 2000 litre pond), followed by tap water to fill it back up again.

This weekend though after my recent water change on Friday they have been very quiet and hiding. I know it could be something completely different like the temp change or pestering off predators (although I havent seen any at all since the pond was built), so im just wanting to rule this out.

So I suppose my question is - should I be doing this 10% water change each week or is that wrong? The water filters through 5kg of Zeolite (which I have 10kg of and have recharged it every 8 weeks and swapped with the other 5kg), so the ammonia aspect should be taken care of so im not entirely sure if the water changes are required?

Ive beein doing water changes once a week, around 10% (maybe just less, but no more than 10%). I have been pumping the 10% out, and then pouring in a jug of water mixed with de-chlorifying salt at the correct amount (5g for my 2000 litre pond), followed by tap water to fill it back up again.

This weekend though after my recent water change on Friday they have been very quiet and hiding. I know it could be something completely different like the temp change or pestering off predators (although I havent seen any at all since the pond was built), so im just wanting to rule this out.

So I suppose my question is - should I be doing this 10% water change each week or is that wrong? The water filters through 5kg of Zeolite (which I have 10kg of and have recharged it every 8 weeks and swapped with the other 5kg), so the ammonia aspect should be taken care of so im not entirely sure if the water changes are required?

Thank you

I do 10% water change every week. Plus I trickle in and out. Around 5%. Using ST Crystal's. And on my setup this works for me.
Everything is good. Lots of ponds do water changes. And there fish are active. I know mine are good.
Fred

I do the same as you mate, 10% per Week and done in an identical way to you.

Except I now run the tap water through a purifier (and still add ST).

I have read of 1 or 2 people who've lost all their fish within 24 hours of a partial water change. One of them discovered there'd been a burst water main not far from their home and after the repair the Water Board added chemicals to remove risk of infection and it was this that was deemed to have killed all their fish.

Your waterboard should have a webpage where you can monitor any major local repairs of leaks that could affect your supply line.

In the days before bank holiday weekends, major sporting events, christmas etc where water demand is expected to significantly increase Water authorities can and do increase the amount of chemicals they add. Chlorine is one of them, not sure what else they do or don't add.

I donít understand why people still use dechlorinating additives in this day and age. In my discus days I used to use a HMA 3 pod filter great bit of kit and piece of mind

Hi mate. I use a 3 pod dechlorinator. But do not trust it on it's own. For taking metal s out the water. And use ST for chlorine.
Reason I lost 5 fish. And had quite a few other fish with ulcers.
Because I trusted the 3 pod to deal with it.
But I then found out it was chlorine killing the fish.
As the 3 pod was passing. Since using ST Crystal's my fish have been great.
There has been lots of posts on here about
3 pods not to be trusted. On there own.
Over the years.
As RS has said ST crystal s are cheap as chips. Of flea bay.
Fred

I do the same as you mate, 10% per Week and done in an identical way to you.

Except I now run the tap water through a purifier (and still add ST).

I have read of 1 or 2 people who've lost all their fish within 24 hours of a partial water change. One of them discovered there'd been a burst water main not far from their home and after the repair the Water Board added chemicals to remove risk of infection and it was this that was deemed to have killed all their fish.

Your waterboard should have a webpage where you can monitor any major local repairs of leaks that could affect your supply line.

In the days before bank holiday weekends, major sporting events, christmas etc where water demand is expected to significantly increase Water authorities can and do increase the amount of chemicals they add. Chlorine is one of them, not sure what else they do or don't add.

they do it ahead of the weekend, though only a slight increase, but you might notice the waters smell change if your sensitive to it.